What's for Dinner

How about Egg plant Parmesan? Sooo yummy.

I made this a while ago for some friends and it was really yummy. I wanted to lick the pan clean when everyone left cuz it was G-O-N-E gone! But I showed restraint. So here is the recipe.

Happy Eating!

Eggplant Parmesan Recipe

Ingredients

2 lbs (about 2 large) eggplants

Kosher salt

1 28-oz can whole peeled tomatoes

2 clove garlic, peeled and minced

Olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup fine dry breadcrumbs

4 large eggs, beaten

1 1/2 lbs of fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds (the key is fresh, people! It's killer!)

1 cup grated high quality Parmesan cheese (NOT the Kraft kind. The kind in the refrigerated section or the deli. The kind you have to grate by hand is best)

1 packed cup fresh basil leaves

Method
1 Cut eggplants lengthwise into 1/4-1/2 inch slices. Arrange one layer in the bottom of a large colander and sprinkle evenly and generously with salt. Repeat with remaining eggplant, salting, until all eggplant is in the colander. Weigh down the slices with a couple of plates and let drain for 2 hours. The purpose of this step is to have the eggplant release some of its moisture before cooking.
2 While the eggplant is draining, prepare tomato sauce. Combine tomatoes, garlic and 1/3 cup olive oil in a food processor. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
3 When eggplant has drained, press down on it to remove excess water, and lay the slices out on paper towels to remove all the moisture. In a wide, shallow bowl, combine flour and breadcrumbs. Mix well. Pour beaten eggs into another wide shallow bowl. Place a large, deep skillet over medium heat, and pour in a a half inch of olive oil. When oil is shimmering, dredge the eggplant slices first in the flour mixture, then in the beaten egg. Working in batches, slide coated eggplant into hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides, turning once. Drain on paper towels.
4 Preheat the oven to 350°F. In the bottom of a 10x15 inch glass baking dish, spread 1 cup of tomato sauce. Top with one third of the eggplant slices. Top eggplant with half of the mozzarella slices. Sprinkle with one third of the Parmesan and half of the basil leaves.
5 Make a second layer of eggplant slices, topped by 1 cup of sauce, remaining mozzarella, half the remaining Parmesan, and all of the remaining basil. Add remaining eggplant, and top with the remaining tomato sauce and Parmesan.
6 Bake until cheese has melted and the top is slightly brown, about 30 minutes. Allow to rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with favorite pasta and more sauce is desired.

P.S. I have used this sauce recipe for sauce for spaghetti and it is to die for. I just add basil to it. I LOVE it. It turns out oh, so fresh!

P.P.S. This is way better than any eggplant Parmesan I have had at any restaurant. It is literally perfect. I could run away and marry it! It's oh, so cheesy and fresh and delightful.